Energy, Water and, Resources
Research areas description
The Research Institute on Mines and the Environment (RIME) UQAT-Polytechnique is a unique joint research program created in collaboration with the University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), Polytechnique Montréal, and six major industrial partners. The RIME seeks to develop innovative solutions for the environmental challenges faced throughout the entire life cycle of a mine. The Institute also trains a large number of graduate students specializing in the field of mining and the environment.
The RIME’s research program focuses on several major themes related to mining and the environment. Our program currently includes several research chairs and a dozen major research projects. In addition to the financial support provided by our industrial partners (over 20 million dollars for 14 years), funding for research is provided by both provincial and federal funding agencies from Quebec and Canada.
Research areas:
- Mine site reclamation
- Circular economy applied to mines: valorization and integrated management of mine wastes
- Geotechnical and geoenvironmental stability of mine waste storage facilities
- Water quality prediction
- Treatment and management of mine waters
- Transport of contaminants in the environment
- Influence of climatic conditions
- Knowledge sharing and exchanges with local communities
Research staff
- Li Li | Scientific director
- Richard Simon | Executive director
- Michel Aubertin | Member
- Nelson Victor Morales Varela | Member
- Carlos Ovalle | Member
- Samuel Yniesta | Member
- Gérald Zagury | Member
Specialized equipment
Advanced laboratory for hydrogeological, geotechnical and geochemical characterization
Large scale physical model (inclined boxes, columns)
Up to 30 cm diameter triaxial cells and shear boxes
Field work on active and abandoned mine sites
External sources of funding
Industrial partners of RIME: Agnico Eagle, Mine Canadian Malartic, IAMGOLD, Mine Raglan, Rio Tinto Fer et Titane and Newmont.
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